FOOTBALL.

Otago Witness, Issue 3251, 5 July 1916, Page 55

FOOTBALL.

RUGBY. FIRST GRADE. Union v. Alhambra. This match was played on the North Ground on Saturday afternoon in the presence of a good attendance of the public. Starting with a favourable wind Alhambra soon established an advantage, Manly getting over and scoring. The kick at goal failed. After a good deal of strenuous play, Mackay scored Alhambra’s second try, which was converted by Marston. Union now attacked strongly, and from a penalty Arthurs registered a goal. The first spell ended with the scores: Alhambra 8, Union 3. On changing sides, Union forced play, and repeatedly had Alhambra in difficulties, but they succeeded in preventing their opponents from crossing their line. However, Union were rewarded for their efforts by a penalty in a good position, from which Arthurs landed another goal. Shortly afterwards the same player kicked another goal from a penalty kick. Alhambra strove hard to increase their score, hut .were unsuccessful, and, just on the call of time, Arthurs again kicked a goal, and the game ended: Union 12 points. Alhambra 8 points. University A v. Pirates. An evenly -contested game between these two teams was played at Carisbrook on Saturday afternoon, and was watched with interest by a fair number of spectators. University were the weightier side, but Pirates put up a good light, and during the second spell were frequently found in an attacking position. The ground was in a heavy condition, and the ball very greasy, but, despite these difficulties, play was often open and attractive, arousing the enthusiasm of the spectators. Three tries were scored for University by Harris, one of these being converted by Blundell, who also kicked a penalty goal. Burn secured a try for Pirates, Mat boson adding the major points. The final score was: University A 14 points. Pirates 5 points. University C v. Port Chalmers. This game was played at Port Chalmers, and resulted in a win for University. In tiro first spell Church scored for the visiting team; otherwise the spell was_ devoid of incident. In the second half, which was vigorously contested, Pilling kicked three penalty goals for University. The match was rather in favour of the Royal Blue colours throughout, although credit must be given to the homo team for its good defensive play. The game resulted: University 12 points. Port Chalmers Nil. Southern v. University B. This match was played on the Caledonian Ground, and provided an enjoyable game. The Blues had the advantage of tha wind in the first spoil, and soon had the Black-and-Whifos penned on their line. Prom a loose scramble Clark scored, and P. Hutchison kicked a goal. P. Hutchison made a good attempt at goal from a free kick, and then for the Blaek-and-W bites Irvine scored from a scramble, Hiley failing with the kick. The Southern again pressed, and Hiloy scored, but failed to register the major points. In the second half Southern hold the upper hand, but it was only through the sure ground fielding of their full-back (Caldwell), who made up for bis small stature and weak kicking by bis fielding, that the Blues at least on one occasion lost a most favourable opportunity to score. The match was played in the best of spirit, and a number of returned men took part in the game. Scores; Southern 6 points. University B 5 points. Mr R. MTCenzio was referee. THIRD GRADE. Knikorai defeated Union by 12 points to 8. Perry (2), Crossan, and Patching scored for the winners. High School defeated Alhafbbra by 8 points to 6. For High School tries wore scored by Jackman and Pea, the latter converting one. FOURTH GRADE. Ravonsbournc defeated Pirates by 20 points to 6. High School defeated Southern by 15 points to 9. FIFTH GRADE. High School defeated' Alhambra A by 12 points to 3. ASSOCIATION A GRADE. • The following table shows the relative positions of the teams: — -w

NORTHERN v. Mornington. Hitherto unbeaten. Northern and Morn-

ington lined out on Culling Park. The first spell was scrappy, offside play spoiling many likely operations. At call of halftime no score had been registered. Three minutes after resuming, Jervis forced a corner for Northern, and from the kick-in headed through the) goal. Ten minutes later Dickel, by mischance, directed the ball into his own net, scoring for his opponents.' Northern 2—o. Play became somewhat rough, and Auld had to retiro with an injured knee. Mornington were awarded a free kick just beyond the penalty area, from which Dickel scored for Mornington. The hill team, who had tho assistance of Booker, strove for an equalising point, but their efforts were vain, Northern finishing victors by a goal. Northern 2 goals. Mornington 1 goal. Christian Brothers v. Southern. The Gardens Reserve was in fairly good trim for tho match Christian Brothers v. Southern. Christian Brothers dominated throughout, Newman loading his men and distributing play with discretion. The goal defence by L. Scott, aided by heady resistance on the part of Trevathon, kept Greens' score within narrow limits. Each side scored a goal in the first half, when Christian Brothers had the advantage of wind and sun. Collins opened for the Brothers with an unusual success with a high chopping shot from halfway. M'Evoy (Southern) equalised. Midway through the second spell Clements notched a second goal for Christian Brothers. Southern were still mostly on tho defensive, but the Brothers failed to pierce again, and the scores stood : Christian Brothers 2 goals. Southern 1 goal. An enjoyable g imo between tho Old Boys present A Grade eleven and a team of explayers was played on the Asylum Ground on Saturday afternoon. The gro-and was in very lair order, and a fast, open gamo resulted, with many flashes of bright and clover play on both sides. The match resulted in a win for the present team by six goals to five. The scorers for the winners were: Hey (3), Allen (2), and Race, and for tho losers Meggett (2), Aitcheson, Ritchie, and Bryce. The game was ably controlled by Mr Pcake. NEW ZEALAND FOOTBALL TOUR. A DEFEAT AT SWANSEA. BATH BEATEN AFTER EXCITING GAME. (Fhoai Ot;n Own Correspondent.) LONDON, April 25. The Now Zealand Military Fifteen visited the West of England this Eastertide and played two games. At Swansea a strong South Wales team proved the stronger by 6 points to 3, but at Bath the New Zealanders scored a success by 9 points to 3. There wat> a crowd of 17,000 spectators at Swansea. The All Blacks attacked from the kick-off, and Wales had to defend. Fifteen 'minutes from the start, from a cleanlyheeled scrum, the visiting backs got gomg, and Clifford kicking across, Burns fielded and dashed over. Wales attacked with great vigour, and splendid give-and-take play was witnessed. At the interval tho seore was: New Zealand 3 points, Wales 0. The second half opened with Wales keenly attacking. and from a scrum on the All Blacks' line Stephens forced himself over, but Bancroft failed to kick a goal. The pace was last, each sitle endeavouring to secure tho advantage, and great play was seen, that set the sporting Welsh blood afire. Eventually Beynon dodged through and scored. Tho Blacks attacked with vigour, but were met by a good defence, and failed to score. Bancroft, Rocs, Beynt.ii, and Griffiths played splendidly for Wales. Everett, the New Zealand full back, was a tower of strength to his side. Muir, Burns, and Taylor, at three-quarter, came successfully through a trying ordeal, while Clifford and Jeffs, e;t five-eights, combined with Rogers, at half, in keeping tho play open and fast. Of a hard-working pack. Park. Fraser, Ovens, and Harding were always noticeable, and led many a dashing rush. The teams were:—All Blacks: Everett, Burns. Muir (captain), Taylor. Jeffs, Clifford, Rogers, Fraser. Ovens, Brown, Park. Hall. Boyle, Frieker, Harding. South Wales: Bancroft, Lewis (captain), Rees, Hill, Williams, Griffiths, Bcynon, Watts, Wheeler, Stephens, Williams, Lloyd. Ponsford, Jones, Evans. BATH BEATEN. Tho teams met on the Recreation Ground, Bath, on Easier Monday. Tho Now Zealand fifteen was the same as that which played at Swansea, with tho exception that Brown made way for Collis in the forward line. The forwards were fairly evenly matched, but behind tho scrum tho All Blacks were distinctly tho superior combination. In the first half their forwards went off with their customary dash, and gave the backs plenty of tho ball, but mishandling spoiled good work until Burns seoreel a good try in a tan 1 position, and shortly after forward play carried tho ball over the line and Ovens scored, tho sides changing ovtr with tho Blacks loading by 6 points to 0. Early in the second half Bath forced play to the All Blacks' line, where Hurst secured from a throw-in and dived over. The All Blacks forced play, and gave a dashing exhibition of running and passing, but found the defence very solid, till a tricky passing bout ended with Muir going over. The Blacks attacked, but Bath managed to keep them out for the rest of the game. Everett at full back, played another safe game, while Taylor, Muir, and Burns gave a pretty exhibition of passing ami kicking. Jell's, Clifford, and Rogers favourably impressed tho crowd. The second half was well contested. Park kicked out, and tho Blacks attacked with passing rushes, but Russell intercepted and carried p'ay to the Black country. Tho forwards, however, brought play back, and eventually Bath was forced to touch down. The Blacks came solid from tho kick out. and fried by passing advances to break down the- Bath defence, which was of the stonewall variety, and play hung in Bath country till Everett midfielded a long kick. and the ball went out, in the Blacks' twentyfive. Hurst secured from the throw-in, and dashed over io score Bath's first try. No goal resulted. The Blacks came away from the kick-out, and during brilliant play among tho backs a score was on ihc tapis at any moment. But Bath kept, them out till at last Muir nnd Burns broke through, and Muir cut and dived over. Clifford failed to convert. Fraser blocked

the kick-out, and some pretty play among the Black forwards ended in Bath touching down. Everett fielded the kick-out and returned the ball to half-way, and "noside " sounded with the score : Blacks. 9 points; Bath, 3. A CEEDITABLE RECORD. The New Zealanders have played ,16 games, won 14. end lost two. Points 218; against—s2. Here are the details:— January 29.—Australians—Points for, 21 j points against, 0. February 4. —Artists Rifles —Points for, 11; points against, 0. February 11. —Second Life Guards—Points for 27; points against, 0. February 19. —Public- Schools Services— Points for, 12; points against, 6. February 23. —Guards Depot—Points for, 14; points against, 5. March 4.—South Africa Heavy Artillery— Points for, 0; against, 7. March 15.—Inns of Court C.T.C.—Points for, 20; points against, 6. March 18. —Australians —Points for, 14} points against, 3. March 25. —Guards Depot—Points for, 27 j points against, 6. March 30. —Australians—Points (for, 5; points against, 3. April 1. —United Hospitals—Points for, 12 ; points against 0. April 8. —South Africa (Heavy Artillery) —Points for, 5; points against, 3. April 15. —South African Infantry—Points I for, 6; points against, 4. ] April 19. —Second Cadets. Pembroke Bat- ■ talion —Points for. 32; points against, 3. April 22.—South Wales—Points for, 3; points against, 6. April 24.—Bath —Points for, 9 ; pointr against, 3.

o fij £ a a t>» c3 d o •4^ 6 s o 42 rf 0 _c ’ o 5 £ kJ O o O Northern .. 4 3 0 1 17 5 7 Mornington 4 3 1 0 1 5 6 Christian Bros. . .. 4 2 2 0 9 11 4 Southern . .. 3 1 2 0 4 7 2 High School Old Boys 2 0 1 1 3 4 1